Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto steps down as Test captain

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has decided to step down as Test skipper of the national team after his team lost the Test series 0-1 to Sri Lanka. Notably, Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 78 runs in the second Test.

Announcing his decision at the post-match press conference, Shanto stated that it is for the betterment of the team, adding that it was his personal decision, and having three separate captains across formats would be difficult for the team.

"I don't want to continue [as captain] in the Test format anymore,” Najmul Hossain Shanto said at the post-match press conference.

"This is not personal. I have taken the decision for the betterment of the team. I think this will help the team. I have been a part of the dressing room for the past few teams. I think three captains [for the three international formats] is not sensible. I don't know what the board will feel about this, and I will support their decision. But this is my personal decision. I think three separate captains will be difficult for the team to deal with,” he added.

"I would want that no one feels this decision is emotional, or that I am disappointed by something. I want to make this clear. This is for the betterment of the team,” he stated.

Moving into the details of the second Test, Bangladesh batted first and scored 247 runs in 79.3 overs. Shadnam Islam was the top scorer with 46 runs. Asitha Fernando and Sonal Dinusha scalped three wickets apiece.

In response, Sri Lanka scored 458 runs before getting all out. Pathum Nissanka was the star of the show, scoring 158 runs in 254 balls. Tajul Islam scalped a five-wicket haul. In response, Bangladesh scored only 133 runs before getting bundled out as Prabath Jayasuriya pocketed a five-wicket haul.

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